Parents Build Parade Float in Honor of Blood Donors

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“These kids can’t make it without blood transfusions.”

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. (June 28, 2007) – Two years ago, Mary Botz never thought much about blood donations. Things suddenly changed when her son Carter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February 2006. “During his first seven months of treatment, Carter needed 22 blood transfusions – 11 red cell units and 11 platelet units,” Botz said. “The bottom line is this: Carter would not have survived without the help of countless individuals who selflessly donated blood. His treatment opened my eyes to the gift that blood donors truly are.”

The Botz family, along with 22 other Minnesota families of children who’ve undergone cancer treatment, will be riding high next Wednesday on a float they’ve built together for the Fourth of July Parade in St. Joseph, Minn. The parents want to increase awareness about childhood cancer and treatment programs in the area. They also want to thank Red Cross blood donors and impress upon parade attendees the lifesaving importance of blood donation. “We are celebrating,” Botz says. “Celebrating health, celebrating battles won, celebrating siblings and families – we’re celebrating life!” The parade begins at 10 a.m.

The families will team up with the Red Cross to sponsor a blood drive on Thursday, July 26, in St. Joseph, Minn. at the Trobec Event Center, 213 – 20th Avenue SE from 1 – 7 p.m.  Attendees will have the chance to sign up to donate blood while visiting the festival grounds.

“Part of the excitement around this project for us is that we are families who were brought together because our kids had cancer. We support one another,” Botz said. “We believe that seeing all of the small, smiling faces on the float on Wednesday will bring home the message that blood is not just needed for accident victims or emergency situations, it’s needed every day to treat patients, including children. These kids can’t make it without blood transfusions.” Botz added, “We think it will make an impact to see such a large group of people who’ve been helped by blood donations. It’s quite a bunch. It gives me goose bumps to think that Carter is in this group after what he’s been through – what everyone has been through. It is truly an honor to stand by these kids and their families and help educate the public.”

Botz says people always ask what they can do to help a family whose child is sick. She tells them that blood donation is one of the most important ways eligible individuals can help. “We want to thank the Red Cross,” Botz said, “and all those donors who made lifesaving transfusions possible for our children. I hope the importance of blood donation sticks when people see the healthy kids.”

Collecting blood during the summer months is often more difficult than during other times of the year. Colleges, universities and high schools, where up to 20 percent of the Red Cross’ blood donations come from, are not in session. Vacations and general disruptions to summer schedules can further exacerbate the drop in donations. But patient need is constant. In fact, someone in America needs a blood transfusion approximately every two seconds.

Nationwide, 38,000 pints of blood must be collected every day just to keep up with demand. Cancer patients, accident victims, people undergoing major surgery and people with some chronic illnesses all need blood. An adequate blood supply is also a critical part of national emergency preparedness planning.

How to Donate BLOOD

Simply call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE (1.800.448.3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or find more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds.

About the Red Cross

The Mid-America Division of the American Red Cross Blood Services supplies blood products to nearly 250 hospitals in 10 states and across the nation. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of more than 370,000 volunteer blood donors, nearly 8,300 blood drive coordinators and more than 2,100 employees to collect the blood that helps save thousands of lives each year. The Mid-America Division is one of nine Red Cross Blood Services Divisions located throughout the United States. Together, these divisions collect more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply.

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